In Spinning News:
I spun up about a bobbin and a half of a HUGE lovely batt from Spinners Hill. When I hit the east coast fiber shows I always hit their booth first. The people who work at the booth are always so nice, and they have this great old cash register and an old-school scale, both of which look like they came from a 1920's pharmacy or something. Anyway, whoever designs the colorways is simply a genius, and I am always pleased with the way my yarns turn out. This particular one is a little lumpy, but only because I wanted to try to spin straight from the batt without prepping it a tad before I spun (it got a little compacted in storage). P.S. Spinner's Hill: if you are listening, I wish like heck you would offer online purchasing!
Incidently, you can store fiber for quite a while after you have already prepped it, it is still totally spinnable, as if you just prepped it yesterday. But I find that this only really works for roving. Batts tend to get compressed if you just shove them in a bag with the rest of your fiber and forget about them for a year or so!
Here it is, sitting pretty on (on a poorly packed bobbin, I might add!).
Like I said, its a little lumpy bumpy, but I really like the way its turning out. It will definitely be a yarn with lots of character. I can't wait to ply it!
In Dyeing News:
These aren't exactly fresh from the dyepot, but I have been having trouble getting just the right pic of these rovings. They are both merino, and both can be found in my Etsy shop.
Here is Toffee and Butterscotch, which is still washed out in this pic, but I gave up trying to get the deep, rich browns to come out. I couldn't even fix them in photoshop. If you have any tips on photographing without a filter, I'm listening!
This one is gothic roses. Again, this is more subdued in person, and sadly I didn't get much of the black "roses". You can't imagine how many times I tried to take pics of this roving!
I plan on getting some new dyes soon, so stay tuned for more colorways!
In Knitting News:
I've finished one sock of Mingus. I just love cookie patterns. They are almost meditative when you really get into their groove. This particular one started out slowly for me, but started to pick up after a repeat. Then I couldn't stop! I finished this one in a week. Its part of a KAL that my local Knitting Night group is doing.
I've also started a Clapotis--if only to have something to knit that didn't require my undivided attention. I'm using Knit Picks Shimmer, 2 strands held together on size 9s. I got this colorway (Sweet Peas I believe its called) on clearance, and I'm starting to get a sense of just why it was priced so. I'm not crazy about it at all. The colors are a bit too bold for my taste. But I'm going to soldier on anyway. I think that the dropped stitches will break up the rather loud color scheme. If it turns out to be too obnoxious, I can at least cuddle in it at home. I feel a little wierd when I use my beaded Guinevere to watch tv in!
If you have knit Clapotis before, you will probably recognize the stage I'm in. I have to do one more repeat and a half before starting the fun part: the part where you get to start dropping stitches!
I also started Kiri, but I didn't like how it was turning out on size 6's. So I got another set of Addi Lace Needles (my fave needles for lace, particularly for silk laceweight) in size 4 and see how it turns out. I'm hoping it will be a little more defined and less open. I don't have pics yet, but will post some when I have more than a swatch's worth.
In Other Knitting News:
A few days ago I participated in a Knit-In for Darfur. It was really great, but I totally forgot to take some pics. I had to take the kiddos with me and kind of expected them to wreak havok, but they actually had a good time and kind of enjoyed charming the other knitters. I met some really interesting people and got to promote my own knitting event: I'm hosting a Worldwide Knit in Public Day. Here is the information I have on the flyer:
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Worldwide Knit In Public Day
Better Living through stitching together
State College PA
Hosted by: Beth (betzi on Ravelry)
Location: Sunset Park
Time: 10:00 AM to whenever
Date: June 14, 2008
Please bring:
Your latest knitting project! Chairs or blankets if you would like them, and something to eat or drink if desired. The area is filled with trees and as a result the ground can potentially be bumpy (but its also very shady!). There are bathrooms available nearby. This is a public park and has the according facilities, including a playground for those who bring their kids! There are picnic tables and grills available.
The backup plan is:
I have no backup plan yet. I will check with the local businesses to see if anyone would like to accommodate us in case of rain. If you would like to host us in case of emergency, please contact me at inkyfingers at gmail.com. Check for updates at www.wwkipday.com or my blog, www.betzispins.blogspot.com . Note: our listing may not show up yet; however the details above are correct and will not be changed (except for rain-out location).
This KIP is not knitting exclusive! Anyone who is interested in the fiber arts is welcome to attend. Spinners feel free to bring your wheels and spindles! Crocheters, don’t forget your hooks!
If you don’t know how to knit or spin but would really like to learn, please feel free to show up and just ask! Chances are someone will be happy to help you out!
Speaking of someone…I will be wearing my ravelry button with my ravelry name on it, Betzi. Seek me out if you have a question or can’t find someone to teach you to knit. Who knows, I might just have extra yarn…
And don’t forget to support your local yarn shop! Stitch Your Art Out is just a few minutes away in Pine Grove Mills. Call (814) 238-4151 for information
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If you are in the area, please stop by! I will be posting information about a rain date later on, when I actually have a plan for it. Keep checking in!
Til next time folks!
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